Letters to the editor for Monday, April 22, 2013

Monday

Apr 22, 2013 at 2:00 AM

I've often asked myself when politicians have a bill in front of them concerning abortion, do they know what an abortion does? I have a feeling that a lot of them don't, only that they'll fight for one's right to have one. They're not considering how destructive abortion is of the child and the mother.

I've often asked myself when politicians have a bill in front of them concerning abortion, do they know what an abortion does? I have a feeling that a lot of them don't, only that they'll fight for one's right to have one. They're not considering how destructive abortion is of the child and the mother.

So I wonder just what was going through Gov. Cuomo's mind when he proposed the Reproductive Health Act. Does he know what an abortion is? If he considers it health care, then he needs to take a closer look. Along with the murder of the unborn child comes physical and psychological problems for the mother. In New York, this happens 111,000 times every year. Even one abortion is one abortion too many.

So what do ya say, folks? Let's get after our state senators, tell them what abortion is and why they need to oppose the Reproductive Health Act. Because there's a life in the womb.

Paul Dickinson

Middletown

Voting for expanded background checks was the least Congress could do. Literally, it was the very least. But the watered-down bill that was presented was patriotic, smart and easy. At the very least, it was something. It failed.

Forty-five senators failed to do their job based on fear and calculations about the money of the gun lobby, which in the last election cycle spent around $25 million on contributions and lobbying. Forty-two of those senators receive money from the gun lobby.

I'm frustrated and furious that a minority of Senators would so blatantly ignore 90 percent of Americans on a topic of community safety. I'm heartbroken for the Sandy Hook families who pleaded face-to-face with senators who did nothing to enact commonsense legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and people with dangerous mental illnesses to possess firearms. It was something. They did nothing.

Federal laws must reflect a changed society. That's why I support the NY Safe Act and created a petition to counter resolutions against it. That's why I joined Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and started a local chapter. If you are outraged, too, join me. It's the least we could do.

Gina Daschbach

Piermont

April is "Donate Life, Organ Donor Awareness Month." This is the month that people like me try to encourage people like you to register to be an organ donor.

This is also the month that my incredible son died waiting. We have the technology, we have the expertise available to us within the hour. We have some of the best medical professionals available to us practically around the corner.

Organ donation is simple and painless (you are already dead), and your very last chance to make a difference in this world. You have the power to save lives. That is the ultimate legacy. Go for it, friend, register to be a donor. Save some lives, leave this world a hero. You won't regret it.